Jumpstart Academy is a daylong workshop presented by Texas FFA and the State Officer Team to teach new FFA chapters how to engage members, lead by example, and to develop a Program of Activities.

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During the workshop, new chapter officers participated in leadership and communication-building activities, heard from guest speaker, John Steelhammer, and spent the day with Texas State Officers, Calan Ahrens and Colt Gresham.

Ahrens, a former member of Alpine FFA, said he grew up in Flour Bluff but had to switch school districts before 9th grade because Flour Bluff did not offer an FFA program.

Kimberlie Griffith, a Senior from Flour Bluff FFA, said she is excited her school now has an FFA program.

“I was like, “That’s so awesome!,” Griffith said. “I’m a senior this year,” Griffith added, “so I won’t be here next year, but I’m super excited that I at least got one year out of it.”

Bonnie Sutherland, a Junior from Flour Bluff FFA, said she expects the community to become involved with the new FFA program.

“Once people do recognize that we have an FFA, people will join in and try to make it the best we can because in Flour Bluff that’s what we like to do, we take something and we put our little spin on it and improve it,” Sutherland said. “That will put Flour Bluff on the map even more. Our football team did it last year, now FFA’s going to do it,” Sutherland confidently added.

This year, Texas FFA offered four Jumpstart Academy workshops to several of the State’s 17 chapters requesting a charter. For more information regarding the Jumpstart Academy, please contact the state office.